Ophthalmic compositions for treating ocular hypertension

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to potent potassium channel blocker compounds of Formula I or a formulation thereof for the treatment of glaucoma and other conditions which leads to elevated intraoccular pressure in the eye of a patient. This invention also relates to the use of such compounds to provide a neuroprotective effect to the eye of mammalian species, particularly humans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the eye wherein the intraocular pressure is too high to permit normal eye function. As a result, damage may occur to the optic nerve head and result in irreversible loss of visual function. If untreated, glaucoma may eventually lead to blindness. Ocular hypertension, i.e., the condition of elevated intraocular pressure without optic nerve head damage or characteristic glaucomatous visual field defects, is now believed by the majority of ophthalmologists to represent merely the earliest phase in the onset of glaucoma.

There are several therapies for treating glaucoma and elevated intraocular pressure, but the efficacy and the side effect profiles of these agents are not ideal. Recently potassium channel blockers were found to reduce intraocular pressure in the eye and therefore provide yet one more approach to the treatment of ocular hypertension and the degenerative ocular conditions related thereto. Blockage of potassium channels can diminish fluid secretion, and under some circumstances, increase smooth muscle contraction and would be expected to lower IOP and have neuroprotective effects in the eye. (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,573,758 and 5,925,342; Moore, et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci 38, 1997; WO 89/10757, WO94/28900, and WO 96/33719).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of potent potassium channel blockers or a formulation thereof in the treatment of glaucoma and other conditions which are related to elevated intraocular pressure in the eye of a patient. This invention also relates to the use of such compounds to provide a neuroprotective effect to the eye of mammalian species, particularly humans. More particularly this invention relates to the treatment of glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension (elevated intraocular pressure) using novel indazole compounds having the structural formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof: wherein, R represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; Ry represents H, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R_(w) represents H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(O)C₁₋₁₆ alkyl, —C(O)OC₁₋₆ alkyl, —SO₂N(R)₂, —SO₂C₁₋₆ alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₀ aryl, NO₂, CN or —C(O)N(R)₂; R₂ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, OH, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(m)OR, —CH₂)_(n)C₁₋₆ alkoxy, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, said alkyl, heterocyclyl, or aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a); R₃ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, —(CH₂)_(n)COOR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, nitro, cyano or halogen, said alkyl, heterocyclyl, or aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups of R^(a); R₄ and R₅ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, C₁₋₆ alkyl, COOR, SO_(q)C₁₋₆ alkyl, COC₁₋₁₆ alkyl, SO₃H, —O(CH₂)_(n)N(R)₂, —O(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R, —OPO(OH)₂, CF₃, OCF₃—N(R)₂, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, or halogen; and R₆ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, said aryl, heterocyclyl and alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a), wherein the R^(a)(s) can be attached to any carbon atom or heteroatom selected from N and S; R₈ represents —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n 3-10) heterocyclyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or —(CH₂)_(n)C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl said heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a); R^(a) represents F, Cl, Br, I, CF₃, N(R)₂, NO₂, CN, —O—, —COR₈, —CONHR₈, —CON(R₈)₂, —O(CH₂)_(n)COOR, —NH(CH₂)_(n)OR, —COOR, —OCF₃, CF₂CH₂OR, —NHCOR, —SO₂R, —SO₂NR₂, —SR, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)O—, —(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(m)OR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₁₋₆ alkoxy, (aryl)O—, —(CH₂)_(n)OH, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)S(O)_(m)—, H₂N—C(NH)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)C(O)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)OC(O)NH—, —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)O(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)S(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)-C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(CH₂)_(n)-Z¹-C(═Z²)N(R)₂, —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)O(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)S(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)-C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)-Z¹-C(═Z²)N(R)₂, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₂R, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₃H, —(CH₂)_(n)PO(OR)₂, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, and C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, heterocyclyl and aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)OH, CN, NO₂, CON(R)₂ and COOR; Z¹ and Z² independently represents NR_(w), O, CH₂, or S; m is 0-3; n is 0-3 and q is 0-2.

This and other aspects of the invention will be realized upon inspection of the invention as a whole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel potassium channel blockers of Formula I. It also relates to a method for decreasing elevated intraocular pressure or treating glaucoma by administration, preferably topical or intra-camaral administration, of a composition containing a potassium channel blocker of Formula I described hereinabove and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment R_(w) is selected from H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(O)C₁₋₁₆ alkyl and —C(O)N(R)₂ and all other variables are as originally described.

Still another embodiment of this invention is realized when R₆ is Cl₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, said alkyl, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups of R^(a), and all other variables are as originally described.

Yet another embodiment of this invention is realized when R₆ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups of R^(a), and all other variables are as originally described.

Yet another embodiment of this invention is realized when R_(y) is C₁₋₆ alkyl, and all other variables are as originally described.

Still another embodiment of this invention is realized when R₂ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl and R₃ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, said heterocyclyl and alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups of R^(a). A subembodiment of this invention is realized when n is 0.

Another embodiment of the instant invention is realized when R^(a) is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CF₃, N(R)₂, NO₂, CN, —O—, —CONHR₈, —CON(R₈)₂, —O(CH₂)_(n)COOR, —NH(CH₂)_(n)OR, —COOR, —OCF₃, —NHCOR, —SO₂R, —SO₂NR₂, —SR, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)O—, —(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(m)OR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₁₋₆ alkoxy, (aryl)O—, —OH, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)S(O)_(m)—, H₂N—C(NH)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)C(O)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)OC(O)NH—, —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(W), —(CH₂)_(n)-Z¹-C(=Z²)N(R)₂, —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)-Z¹-C(=Z²)N(R)₂, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₂R, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₃H, —(CH₂)_(n)PO(OR)₂, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, and C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, said alkyl and alkenyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, and COOR;

Examples of compounds to be used in this invention are found in Table 1: TABLE 1

R1 R2

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof.

The invention is described herein in detail using the terms defined below unless otherwise specified.

The compounds of the present invention may have asymmetric centers, chiral axes and chiral planes, and occur as racemates, racemic mixtures, and as individual diastereomers, with all possible isomers, including optical isomers, being included in the present invention. (See E. L. Eliel and S. H. Wilen Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (John Wiley and Sons, New York 1994), in particular pages 1119-1190)

When any variable (e.g. aryl, heterocycle, R¹, R⁶ etc.) occurs more than one time in any constituent, its definition on each occurrence is independent at every other occurrence. Also, combinations of substituents/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds.

When R^(a) is —O— and attached to a carbon it is referred to as a carbonyl group and when it is attached to a nitrogen (e.g., nitrogen atom on a pyridyl group) or sulfur atom it is referred to a N-oxide and sulfoxide group, respectively.

The term “alkyl” refers to a monovalent alkane (hydrocarbon) derived radical containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. It may be straight, branched or cyclic. Preferred alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, cyclopropyl cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. When the alkyl group is said to be substituted with an alkyl group, this is used interchangeably with “branched alkyl group”.

Cycloalkyl is a specie of alkyl containing from 3 to 15 carbon atoms, unless otherwise defined, without alternating or resonating double bonds between carbon atoms. It may contain from 1 to 4 rings, which are fused. Examples of such cycloalkyl elements include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

Alkenyl is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

Alkoxy refers to an alkyl group of indicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen bridge, with the alkyl group optionally substituted as described herein. Said groups are those groups of the designated length in either a straight or branched configuration and if two or more carbon atoms in length, they may include a double or a triple bond. Exemplary of such alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, tertiary butoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, hexoxy, isohexoxy allyloxy, propargyloxy, and the like.

Halogen (halo) refers to chlorine, fluorine, iodine or bromine.

Aryl refers to aromatic rings e.g., phenyl, substituted phenyl and the like, as well as rings which are fused, e.g., naphthyl, phenanthrenyl and the like. An aryl group thus contains at least one ring having at least 6 atoms, with up to five such rings being present, containing up to 22 atoms therein, with alternating (resonating) double bonds between adjacent carbon atoms or suitable heteroatoms. Examples of aryl groups are phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, biphenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl or acenaphthyl and phenanthrenyl, preferably phenyl, naphthyl or phenanthrenyl. Aryl groups may likewise be substituted as defined. Preferred substituted aryls include phenyl and naphthyl.

The term heterocyclyl or heterocyclic, as used herein, represents a stable 3- to 7-membered monocyclic or stable 8- to 11-membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring which is either saturated or unsaturated, and which consists of carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, and S, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heterocyclic ring may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable structure. A fused heterocyclic ring system may include carbocyclic rings and need include only one heterocyclic ring. The term heterocycle or heterocyclic includes heteroaryl moieties. Examples of such heterocyclic elements include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydrobenzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl sulfone, dihydropyrrolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, furyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, oxazolyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperdinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamotpholinyl sulfoxide, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, thienofuryl, thienothienyl, and thienyl. Preferably, heterocycle is selected from 2-azepinonyl, benzimidazolyl, 2-diazapinonyl, dihydroimidazolyl, dihydropyrrolyl, imidazolyl, 2-imidazolidinonyl, indolyl, isoquinolinyl, morpholinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyrrolidinyl, 2-piperidinonyl, 2-pyrimidinonyl, 2-pyrollidinonyl, quinolinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, and thienyl.

The term “heteroatom” means O, S or N, selected on an independent basis.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 or 6 ring atoms, or a bicyclic aromatic group having 8 to 10 atoms, containing at least one heteroatom, O, S or N, in which a carbon or nitrogen atom is the point of attachment, and in which one or two additional carbon atoms is optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from O or S, and in which from 1 to 3 additional carbon atoms are optionally replaced by nitrogen heteroatoms, said heteroaryl group being optionally substituted as described herein. Examples of such heterocyclic elements include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydrobenzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl sulfone, furyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thienofuryl, thienothienyl, thienyl and triazolyl. Additional nitrogen atoms may be present together with the first nitrogen and oxygen or sulfur, giving, e.g., thiadiazole.

This invention is also concerned with compositions and methods of treating ocular hypertension or glaucoma by administering to a patient in need thereof one of the compounds of formula I in combination with a β-adrenergic blocking agent such as timolol, betaxolol, levobetaxolol, carteolol, levobunolol, a parasympathomimetic agent such as epinephrine, iopidine, brimonidine, clonidine, para-amnoclonidine, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as dorzolamide, acetazolamide, metazolamide or brinzolamide, an EP4 agonist (such as those disclosed in WO 02/24647, WO 02/42268, EP 1114816, WO 01/46140 and WO 01/72268), a prostaglandin such as latanoprost, travaprost, unoprostone, rescula, S1033 (compounds set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,889,052; 5,296,504; 5,422,368; and 5,151,444); a hypotensive lipid such as lumigan and the compounds set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,708; a neuroprotectant disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,931, particularly eliprodil and R-eliprodil as set forth in WO 94/13275, including memantine; or an agonist of 5-HT2 receptors as set forth in PCT/US00/31247, particularly 1-(2-aminopropyl)-3-methyl-1H-imdazol-6-ol fumarate and 2-(3-chloro-6-methoxy-indazol-1-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine. An example of a hypotensive lipid (the carboxylic acid group on the α-chain link of the basic prostaglandin structure is replaced with electrochemically neutral substituents) is that in which the carboxylic acid group is replaced with a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group such as OCH₃ (PGF_(2a) 1-OCH₃), or a hydroxy group (PGF_(2a) 1-OH).

Preferred potassium channel blockers are calcium activated potassium channel blockers. More preferred potassium channel blockers are high conductance, calcium activated potassium (Maxi-K) channel blockers. Maxi-K channels are a family of ion channels that are prevalent in neuronal, smooth muscle and epithelial tissues and which are gated by membrane potential and intracellular Ca²⁺.

The present invention is based upon the finding that maxi-K channels, if blocked, inhibit aqueous humor production by inhibiting net solute and H₂O efflux and therefore lower IOP. This finding suggests that maxi-K channel blockers are useful for treating other ophthamological dysfunctions such as macular edema and macular degeneration. It is known that lowering IOP promotes blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. Accordingly, the compounds of this invention are useful for treating macular edema and/or macular degeneration.

It is believed that maxi-K channel blockers which lower IOP are useful for providing a neuroprotective effect. They are also believed to be effective for increasing retinal and optic nerve head blood velocity and increasing retinal and optic nerve oxygen by lowering IOP, which when coupled together benefits optic nerve health. As a result, this invention further relates to a method for increasing retinal and optic nerve head blood velocity, increasing retinal and optic nerve oxygen tension as well as providing a neuroprotective effect or a combination thereof.

A number of marketed drugs function as potassium channel antagonists. The most important of these include the compounds Glyburide, Glipizide and Tolbutamide. These potassium channel antagonists are useful as antidiabetic agents. The compounds of this invention may be combined with one or more of these compounds to treat diabetes.

Potassium channel antagonists are also utilized as Class 3 antiarrhythmic agents and to treat acute infarctions in humans. A number of naturally occuring toxins are known to block potassium channels including Apamin, Iberiotoxin, Charybdotoxin, Noxiustoxin, Kaliotoxin, Dendrotoxin(s), mast cell degranuating (MCD) peptide, and P-Bungarotoxin (O-BTX). The compounds of this invention may be combined with one or more of these compounds to treat arrhythmias.

Depression is related to a decrease in neurotransmitter release. Current treatments of depression include blockers of neurotransmitter uptake, and inhibitors of enzymes involved in neurotransmitter degradation which act to prolong the lifetime of neurotransmitters.

Alzheimer's disease is also characterized by a diminished neurotransmitter release. Three classes of drugs are being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease cholinergic potentiators such as the anticholinesterase drugs (e.g., physostigmine (eserine), and Tacrine (tetrahydroaminocridine)); nootropics that affect neuron metabolism with little effect elsewhere (e.g., Piracetam, Oxiracetam; and those drugs that affect brain vasculature such as a mixture of ergoloid mesylates amd calcium channel blocking drugs including Nimodipine. Selegiline, a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor which increases brain dopamine and norepinephrine has reportedly caused mild improvement in some Alzheimer's patients. Aluminum chelating agents have been of interest to those who believe Alzheimer's disease is due to aluminum toxicity. Drugs that affect behavior, including neuroleptics, and anxiolytics have been employed. Anxiolytics, which are mild tranquilizers, are less effective than neuroleptics The present invention is related to novel compounds which are useful as potassium channel antagonists.

The compounds within the scope of the present invention exhibit potassium channel antagonist activity and thus are useful in disorders associated with potassium channel malfunction. A number of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, memory loss or depression may benefit from enhanced release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine or acetylcholine and the like. Blockage of Maxi-K channels maintains cellular depolarization and therefore enhances secretion of these vital neurotransmitters.

The compounds of this invention may be combined with anticholinesterase drugs such as physostigmine (eserine) and Tacrine (tetrahydroaminocridine), nootropics such as Piracetam, Oxiracetam, ergoloid mesylates, selective calcium channel blockers such as Nimodipine, or monoamine oxidase B inhibitors such as Selegiline, in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The compounds of this invention may also be combined with Apamin, Iberiotoxin, Charybdotoxin, Noxiustoxin, Kaliotoxin, Dendrotoxin(s), mast cell degranuating (MCD) peptide, β-Bungarotoxin (β-BTX) or a combination thereof in treating arrythmias. The compounds of this invention may further be combined with Glyburide, Glipizide, Tolbutamide or a combination thereof to treat diabetes.

The herein examples illustrate but do not limit the claimed invention. Each of the claimed compounds are potassium channel antagonists and are thus useful in the decribed neurological disorders in which it is desirable to maintain the cell in a depolarized state to achieve maximal neurotransmitter release. The compounds produced in the present invention are readily combined with suitable and known pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to produce compositions which may be administered to mammals, including humans, to achieve effective potassium channel blockage.

For use in medicine, the salts of the compounds of formula I will be pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Other salts may, however, be useful in the preparation of the compounds according to the invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. When the compound of the present invention is acidic, suitable “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts prepared form pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases including inorganic bases and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine caffeine, choline, N,N¹-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamin, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylaamine, trimethylamine tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like.

When the compound of the present invention is basic, salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. Particularly preferred are citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric and tartaric acids.

The preparation of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts described above and other typical pharmaceutically acceptable salts is more fully described by Berg et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. Pharm. Sci., 1977:66:1-19.

As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specific amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specific ingredients in the specified amounts.

When a compound according to this invention is administered into a human subject, the daily dosage will normally be determined by the prescribing physician with the dosage generally varying according to the age, weight, sex and response of the individual patient, as well as the severity of the patient's symptoms.

The maxi-K channel blockers used can be administered in a therapeutically effective amount intravaneously, subcutaneously, topically, transdermally, parenterally or any other method known to those skilled in the art.

Ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions are preferably adapted for topical administration to the eye in the form of solutions, suspensions, ointments, creams or as a solid insert. Ophthalmic formulations of this compound may contain from 0.01 ppm to 1% and especially 0.1 ppm to 1% 30 of medicament. Higher dosages as, for example, about 10% or lower dosages can be employed provided the dose is effective in reducing intraocular pressure, treating glaucoma, increasing blood flow velocity or oxygen tension. For a single dose, from between 0.01 to 5000 ng, preferably 0.1 to 500 ng, and especially 1 to 100 ng of the compound can be applied to the human eye.

The pharmaceutical preparation which contains the compound may be conveniently admixed with a non-toxic pharmaceutical organic carrier, or with a non-toxic pharmaceutical inorganic carrier. Typical of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are, for example, water, mixtures of water and water-miscible solvents such as lower alkanols or aralkanols, vegetable oils, polyalkylene glycols, petroleum based jelly, ethyl cellulose, ethyl oleate, carboxymethyl-cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, isopropyl myristate and other conventionally employed acceptable carriers. The pharmaceutical preparation may also contain non-toxic auxiliary substances such as emulsifying, preserving, wetting agents, bodying agents and the like, as for example, polyethylene glycols 200, 300, 400 and 600, carbowaxes 1,000, 1,500, 4,000, 6,000 and 10,000, antibacterial components such as quaternary ammonium compounds, phenylmercuric salts known to have cold sterilizing properties and which are non-injurious in use, thimerosal, methyl and propyl paraben, benzyl alcohol, phenyl ethanol, buffering ingredients such as sodium borate, sodium acetates, gluconate buffers, and other conventional ingredients such as sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine, oleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitylate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, monothioglycerol, thiosorbitol, ethylenediamine tetracetic acid, and the like. Additionally, suitable ophthalmic vehicles can be used as carrier media for the present purpose including conventional phosphate buffer vehicle systems, isotonic boric acid vehicles, isotonic sodium chloride vehicles, isotonic sodium borate vehicles and the like. The pharmaceutical preparation may also be in the form of a microparticle formulation. The pharmaceutical preparation may also be in the form of a solid insert. For example, one may use a solid water soluble polymer as the carrier for the medicament. The polymer used to form the insert may be any water soluble non-toxic polymer, for example, cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, (hydroxyloweralkyl cellulose), hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; acrylates such as polyacrylic acid salts, ethylacrylates, polyactylamides; natural products such as gelatin, alginates, pectins, tragacanth, karaya, chondrus, agar, acacia; the starch derivatives such as starch acetate, hydroxymethyl starch ethers, hydroxypropyl starch, as well as other synthetic derivatives such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyethylene oxide, neutralized carbopol and xanthan gum, gellan gum, and mixtures of said polymer.

Suitable subjects for the administration of the formulation of the present invention include primates, man and other animals, particularly man and domesticated animals such as cats and dogs.

The pharmaceutical preparation may contain non-toxic auxiliary substances such as antibacterial components which are non-injurious in use, for example, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride, methyl and propyl paraben, benzyldodecinium bromide, benzyl alcohol, or phenylethanol; buffering ingredients such as sodium chloride, sodium borate, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, or gluconate buffers; and other conventional ingredients such as sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitylate, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and the like.

The ophthalmic solution or suspension may be administered as often as necessary to maintain an acceptable IOP level in the eye. It is contemplated that administration to the mamalian eye will be about once or twice daily.

For topical ocular administration the novel formulations of this invention may take the form of solutions, gels, ointments, suspensions or solid inserts, formulated so that a unit dosage comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the active component or some multiple thereof in the case of a combination therapy.

The following examples given by way of illustration is demonstrative of the present invention.

Definitions of the terms used in the examples are as follows:

SM—Starting material,

DMSO—dimethyl sulfoxide,

TLC—thin layer chromatography,

SGC—silica gel chromatography,

PhMgBr—phenylmagnesiumbromide

h=hr=hour,

THF—tetrahydrofuran,

DMP—dimethylformamide,

min—minute,

LC/MS—liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry,

HPLC—high performance liquid chromatography,

PyBOP—Benzotriazol-1-yloxytris-(dimethyl amino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate,

equiv=eq=equivalent,

NBS—N-Bromosuccinamide and

AIBN—2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile.

The compounds of this invention can be made, with modification where appropriate, in accordance with Scheme 1. Examples 1-3 are also produced in accordance with Scheme 1.

In Scheme 1 nitroanisole is brominated using NBS, AMBN and benzoyl peroxide. Treatment of the bromonitroanisole with potassium cyanide yielded the cyanonitroanisole. Conversion of the nitro group to an amine is accomplished by hydrogenation. The amine is then treated with sodium nitrite and HCl to yield the indazole ring. In this reaction as soon as the diazonium is generated by nitrosation of the aniline moiety it is trapped intramolecularily by the acidic benzyl cyanide. Tautomerization of the resultant derivative gives the indazole nucleus. Treatment of the nitrile with a Gringard followed by hydrolysis of the resultant imino-magnesium complex gives the desired alkyl/aryl ketone.

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

In a 500 mL flask was charged 336 mmoles (13.44 g; 60%) of NaH. Under argon 150 mL of DMSO was added, followed by dropwise addition of 32 mL of ethyl cyanoacetate (2.2 equiv.; 352 mmloes) at 5° C. After all the addition the reaction was warmed upto room temperature over 1 h. 30 g of starting nitro benzene derivative was added (160 mmoles) as a powder. The reaction mixture was heated in a closed system at 90° C. for 8 hours. Acidification and standard work-up gave a crude oily residue which was purified over a silica-gel column to give 39 g of desired crystalline product which was decarboxylated to give the benzyl nitrile as follows. Thirty eight grams of SM obtained above was dissolved in 400 mL of 1N sodium carbonate. The homogenous solution was stirred at rt for two days. TLC analysis indicated competion of reaction. The reaction mixture was acidified and extratced with ethyl acetate (100 mL×4). The combined organic phases was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated and residue was subjected to SGC to give the desired product.

1H NMR CDCL3: 7.72 (1H, d, J=3 Hz); 7.61 (1H, d, J=8.5 Hz); 7.25 (1H, dd, J=3 and 8.5 Hz); 4.17 (2H, s); 3.94 (3H, s). LCMS [M+H]=193.

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

10 g of benzylnitrile derivative was dissolved in THF 20 mL followed by dilution with 50 mL of methanol. The reaction mixture was taken in a pressure tube, Pd—C (10% wt/10 mole %) was added and the reaction mixture was hydrogenated at 40 psi. After the requisite amount of hydrogen for the reduction of the NO₂ group was consumed the reaction was stopped. TLC analysis indicated a spot to spot conversion. The reaction mixture was filtered over a pad of celite and the filtrate was concentrated to a solid and used in the next step directly. Crude aniline derivative (52 mmoles was dissolved/suspended in 2N HCl (150 mL), cooled to 5° C. followed by the addition of 5.4 g of sodium nitrite in 10 mL of water. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for 1 h with gradual warming to room temperature. TLC analysis indicated complete consumption of SM and the formation of a new spot. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (100 mL×4); organic phase was collected, dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by SGC to give desired product. LCMS [M+H]=174

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

Weighed out 4.15 g of indazole and azeoptroped water with 2 toluene (100 ml) washings, pulling off toluene azeotrope by rotovap. Dried thoroughly under high vacuum and performed argon purges. Dissolved in 40 ml dry TBF and 92 ml dry ether under argon. Cooled to 5° C. in ice water bath. Charged 3 eq of isopropylmagnesium chloride ((6 ml of a 2M solution in THF) and stired for 0.5 hr at room temp. Carefully charged 1N HCl (240 ml) and stired for 1 h. Monitored reaction by TLC. Extracted with EtOAc, rotovaped and produced desired product.

LCMS [M+H]=219

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

Step A: 100 g of 2-fluoro-4-methoxy-acetophenone in 400 mL of ethylene glycol was stirred at room temperature with hydrazine (0.624 mol, 20 g) for 4 h after which the reaction mixture was heated to 150° C. for 48 h. TLC analysis indicated complete reaction. Partitioned the reaction mixture into dichloromethane and brine. Dried organic phase over sodium sulphate and evaporated to a solid. Re-crystallized from hexane/dicholomethane gave 6-methoxy-3-methyl-1H-indazole.

1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.5 (1H, d, 7.5 Hz); 6.8 (2H, m); 3.8 (3H, s); 2.55 (3H, s)

LCMS [M+H]=163

78 g of 6-methoxy-3-methyl-1H-indazole was dissolved in 1 L of MeCN containing 1.1 equiv of tri-ethyl amine, 0.2 equiv of DMAP was cooled to −5° C.; followed by slow addition of Boc2O (1.1 equiv) in 200 mL of MeCN. After 2 h of stirring the reaction at rt the reaction mixture was evaporated to an oil which was partitioned between EtOAc and brine, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was applied to a short SGC and eluted with 15% EtOAc in hexane. Evaporation gave Boc-protected product.

1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.6 (1H, bs); 7.42 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 6.85 (1H, dd); 3.8 (3H, s); 2.5 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s)

LCMS [M+H]=263

100 g of BOC-protected indazole was dissolved in 600 mL of CC14, followed by addition of 1.1 equiv of NBS and 0.2 equiv of Bz2O. Reaction mix was vac-purged with argon and set to reflux for 5 h in presence of light from a sun lamp. Reaction mixture was filtered over a pad of SG and concentrated. Residual oil was purified over a short SGC. Mono-bromide and mixed fractions of di-bromo derivative were obtained.

mono-bromide: 1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.7 (1H, d, 7.5 Hz); 7.6 (11, bs); 6.95 (1H, dd); 4.7 (2H, s); 3.9 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s);

di-bromide: 1H NMR (CDCL3): 8.05 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 7.6 (11, bs); 7.0 (1H, dd); 6.85 (1H, s); 3.9 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s);

To a solution of dibromide (23.2 g) in acetic acid was added sodium acetate (22.5 g). The mixture was placed in oil bath and refluxed for a couple of hours until reaction completed. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and then poured into ice/water to give desired compound as an off-white solid. The solid was isolated by filtration and dried over nitrogen atmosphere.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 10.23 (1H, s); 8.19 (1H, d); 7.02 (1H, dd); 6.96 (1H, d); 3.90 (3H, s).

Step B:

To the intermediate from Step A was added triethyl orthoformate (40 ml) and heated to 130° C. for a couple of hours. The resulting mixture was concentrated to dry to give title compound as a brown solid.

¹H NMR (DMSO): δ 10.08 (1H, s); 7.98 (1H, d); 7.25 (1H, d); 7.02 (1H, dd); 6.81 (1H, s); 3.82 (3H, s); 3.52 (4H, q); 1.11 (6H, t).

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

To a solution of intermediate from preparative Example 2 (1.00 g, 5.75 mmol) dissolved in THF (15 mL) was added cyclopentyl magnesium bromide (6.32 mL, 12.65 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl upon completion. The resulting reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The product was purified via SiO₂ gel chromatography to yield 580 mg of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.702 (2H, m), 1.803 (2H, m), 2.005 (4H, m), 3.904 (3H, s), 4.070 (1H, m), 6.915 (1H, s), 7.010 (1H, d), 8.272 (1H, d).

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6

The desired compound was prepared by a procedure similar to the one described for Preparative Example 5, but cyclohexyl magnesium bromide was used in place of cyclopentyl magnesium bromide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.327 (1H, m), 1.479 (2H, m), 1.604 (2H, m), 1.781 (1H, m), 1.861 (2H, m), 2.000 (2H, m), 3.641 (1H, m), 3.902 (3H, s), 6.923 (1H, s), 7.008 (1H, d), 8.259 (1H, d).

EXAMPLE 1

Indazole (0.60 mmoles from Preparative Example 3) starting material obtained as above was dissolved in DMF (3 mL) followed by the addition of sodium hydride (0.88 mmoles). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 15 min, followed by the addition of tert-butyl bromo acetate (0.669 mmoles). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. TLC and LC-MS analysis indicated complete consumption of starting material concurrent with the formation of a new product spot. The reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of water. Standard aqueous work-up followed by purification of crude by SGC gave the desired product as white solid.

1H NMR in CDCL: 8.22 (1H, d, J=9 Hz); 6.97 (1H, dd, J=2 and 9 Hz); 6.5 (1H, d J=2 Hz); 5.4 (2H, s); 3.94 (3H, s); 2.8 (1H, m); 1.38 (9H, s); 1.27 (6H, d, J=6.5 Hz).

LCMS=[M+H]=317

EXAMPLE 2

1-(3-{[6-(2 hydroxyethyl)pyridine-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one Step A:

To a solution of 2,5-dibromopyridine (2.4 g) in toluene was added tributylallyltin (3.4 ml) and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0.7 g) under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was refluxed for a couple of hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was re-dissolved in “wet ether” and added DBU (3 ml) slowly to give a cloudy solution. The mixture was filtered over a pad of silica gel and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride/methanol=1/1 solution and cooled to −78° C. To this solution was bubbled though ozone until the reaction mixture became a blue color. The reaction was warmed to 0° C. and added sodium borohydride (0.5 g) portion-wise. After stirring at 0° C. for 1 hour, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 1N NaOH_(aq), brine, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford crude alcohol. The alcohol was purified by silica gel (methylene chloride/ethyl acetate=1/1) to give desired alcohol. To a solution of alcohol in methylene chloride was added imidazole (0.4 g) and TBS-Cl (0.8 g) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The reaction was poured into 0.1 N HCl_(aq) extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was purified by silica gel (100% methylene chloride) to give desired compound.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.61 (1H, d); 7.73 (1H, dd); 7.14 (1H, d); 3.97 (2H, t); 2.96 (2H, t); 0.86 (9H, s); −0.02 (6H, s). Step B:

The desired compound was prepared by a procedure similar to the one described for Example 5, Steps 5, 6, 7, and 8. This compound was purified by silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate=1/3).

¹H NMR (CHCl₃): δ 9.53 (1 h, d); 8.54 (1H, dd); 8.35 (1H, d); 7.37 (1H, d); 7.07 (1H, dd); 6.56 (1H, d); 5.45 (2H, s); 4.11 (2H, t); 3.90 (3H, s); 3.18 (2H, t); 1.38 (9H, s). LC-MS (M+H)=396.2.

Examples 3-5 as shown below are made, with some modification of the desired compound of Preparative Example 6, by alkylation of the indazole as described in Example 1. Additionally, analogs of Examples 1 and 4 can be prepared following analogous procedures using the indazole of Preparative Example 4 or alternatively another indazole prepared following procedures described herein.

EXAMPLE 3

To 195 mg of NaH (60% dispersion in oil washed with hexane) was added DMF (10 mL) and Intermediate 3 (597 mg, 2.44 mmol). The reaction stirred at room temperature for 30 min before 1-chloropinacolone (3.81 mL, 2.92 mmol) was added. After 20 min the reaction was quenched with H₂O and diluted with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified via silica gel chromatography to yield.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.361 (9H, s), 1.683 (2H, m), 1.788 (2H, m), 1.974 (4H, m), 3.872 (3H, s), 4.029 (1H, m), 5.372 (2H, s), 6.514 (1H, s), 6.986 (1H, d), 8.267 (1H, d).

EXAMPLE 4

Using Preparative Example 8, this compound was prepared as described in Example 3. The title compound was purified via SiO₂ preparatory plate chromatography. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.285-1.575 (15H, m), 1.833 (2H, d), 1.994 (2H, d), 3.615 (1H, m), 3.860 (3H, s), 5.372 (2H, s), 6.490 (1H, s), 6.981 (1H, d), 8.254 (1H, d).

EXAMPLE 5

di-tert-butyl 4-{[1-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyl)-6-methoxy-1-H-indazole-3-yl]carbonyl}hydroxyl ethyl benzyl Step 1

100 g of fluoro-acetophenone in 400 mL of ethylene glycol was stirred at room temperature with hydrazine (0.624 mol, 20 g) for 4 h after which the reaction mixture was heated to 150 C for 48 h. TLC analysis indicated complete reaction. Partitioned the reaction mixture-into dichloromethane and brine. Dried organic phase over sodium sulphate and evaporated to a solid. Re-crystallized from hexane/dicholomethane gave indazole.

1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.5 (1H, d, 7.5 Hz); 6.8 (2H, m); 3.8 (3H, s); 2.55 (3H, s)

LCMS [M+H]=163 Step 2

78 g of indazole was dissolved in 1 L of MeCN containing 1.1 equiv of tri-ethyl amine, 0.2 equiv of DMAP was cooled to −5 C; followed by slow addition of Boc2O (1.1 equiv) in 200 mL of MeCN. After 2 h of stirring the reaction at rt the reaction mixture was evaporated to an oil which was partitioned between EtOAc and brine, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was applied to a short SGC and eluted with 15% EtOAc in hexane. Evaporation gave product.

1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.6 (1H, bs); 7.42 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 6.85 (1H, dd); 3.8 (3H, s); 2.5 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s)

LCMS [M+H]=263 Step 3

100 g of indazole was dissolved in 600 mL of CCl4, followed by addition of 1.1 equiv of NBS and 0.2 equiv of Bz2O. Reaction mix was vac-purged with argon and set to reflux for 5 h in presence of light from a sun lamp. Reaction mixture was filtered over a pad of SG and concentrated. Residual oil was purified over a short SGC. 85 g of pure bromide was obtained. Mixed fractions yielded di-bromo derivative

mono-bromide: 1H NMR (CDCL3): 7.7 (1H, d, 7.5 Hz); 7.6 (1H, bs); 6.95 (1H, dd); 4.7 (2H, s); 3.9 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s);

di-bromide: 1H NMR (CDCL3): 8.05 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 7.6 (1H, bs); 7.0 (1H, dd); 6.85 (1H, s); 3.9 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s);

Step 4

5 g of bromide was dissolved in 10 mL of DMSO, cooled to 0 C followed by addition of 2.5 equiv of TMANO (trimethyl amine N-oxide). Reaction was stirred for 0.5 h then a standard work-up and SG pad filteration gave desired product quantitatively. LCMS [M+H]=277

1H NMR (CDCL3): 10.2 (1H, s); 8.1 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 7.6 (1H, bs); 7.0 (1H, dd); 3.9 (3H, s); 1.7 (9H, s); Step 5

Glasswares were flame dried under high vacuum

To neat iodo-benzyl alcohol derivative (3.6 g, 10 mmol) in the flask was slowly added isopropylMgCl (5 mL, 2M solution). After stirring at rt for 2 hr, indazole derivative (1.1 g, 4 mmol) in 15 mL THF was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 2 hr. LC-MS showed the reaction was complete. Pour the reaction mixture into 30 mL saturated NH4Cl, followed by adding 40 mL ether. The organic layer was separated, the aqueous layer was extracted by ether (40 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated K2CO3 (2×30 mL), water (40 mL) and brine (20 mL). The solvent was removed, the residue was used for next step reaction without further purification. LCMS [M+H]=499 Steps 6 and 7

To a solution of indazole (crude from step 5) in 20 mL dichloromethane was added 5 g celite and 4.3 g of PCC (MW 215.56, ˜2 eq). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 2 hr. LC-MS showed the reaction was completed LCMS [M+H]=497. The reaction mixture was filtered. The solvent was removed, the residue was dissolved in 10 mL MeOH, and added 20 mL 2N HCl. After stirring for 1 hr at rt LCMS and TLC analysis indicated complete reaction. The reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL). The solvent was removed, the residue was used for next step reaction without further purification. LCMS [M+H]=283 Step 8

To a solution of indazole (342 mg crude prod from step 7, ˜10 mmol)) in 15 mL acetone was added 1.5 g of K2CO3 and 1.5 mL Bromopinacolone (Mw179.06, d1.326, 2.0 g, 11 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. in a seal tube for 2 hr. After filtered off salts, the solvent was removed, the residue was purified by HPFC to give white solid product.

1H NMR (CDCL3)=8.3 (3H, m); 7.5 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz); 7.05 (1H, dd); 7.6 (1H, bs); 5.4 (2H, s); 4.8 (2H, bs); 3.9 (3HK s); 1.38 (9H, s)

LCMS [M+H]=381

Functional Assays

A. Maxi-K Channel

The identification of inhibitors of the Maxi-K channel can be accomplished using Aurora Biosciences technology, and is based on the ability of expressed Maxi-K channels to set cellular resting potential after transient transfection of both a and 0 subunits of the channel in TsA-201 cells. In the absence of inhibitors, cells display a hyperpolarized membrane potential, negative inside, close to E_(K) (−80 mV) which is a consequence of the activity of the Maxi-K channel. Blockade of the Maxi-K channel will cause cell depolarization. Changes in membrane potential can be determined with voltage-sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) dye pairs that use two components, a donor coumarin (CC₂DMPE) and an acceptor 5 oxanol (DiSBAC₂(3)). Oxanol is a lipophilic anion and distributes across the membrane according to membrane potential. Under normal conditions, when the inside of the cell is negative with respect to the outside, oxanol is accumulated at the outer leaflet of the membrane and excitation of coumarin will cause FRET to occur. Conditions that lead to membrane depolarization will cause the oxanol to redistribute to the inside of the cell, and, as a consequence, to a decrease in FRET. Thus, the ratio change (donor/acceptor) increases after membrane depolarization.

Transient transfection of the Maxi-K channel in TsA-201 cells can be carried out as previously described (Hanner et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 16289-16296) using FUGENE6T as the transfection reagent. Twenty four hours after transfection, cells are collected in Ca²⁺—Mg²⁺-free Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS), subjected to centrifugation, plated onto 96-well poly-d-lysine coated plates at a density of 60,000 cells/well, and incubated overnight. The cells are then washed 1× with D-PBS, and loaded with 100 μl of 4 μM CC₂DMPE-0.02% pluronic-127 in D-PBS. Cells are incubated at room temperature for 30 min in the dark. Afterwards, cells are washed 2× with D-PBS and loaded with 100 μl of 6 μM DiSBAC₂(3) in (mM): 140 NaCl, 0.1 KCl, 2 CaCl₂, 1 MgCl₂, 20 Hepes-NaOH, pH 7.4, 10 glucose. Test compounds are diluted into this solution, and added at the same time. Cells are incubated at room temperature for 30 min in the dark.

Plates are loaded into a voltage/ion probe reader (VIPR) instrument, and the fluorescence emission of both CC₂DMPE and DiSBAC₂(3) are recorded for 10 sec. At this point, 100 μl of high-potassium solution (mM): 140 KCl, 2 CaCl₂, 1 MgCl₂, 20 Hepes-KOH, pH 7.4, 10 glucose are added and the fluorescence emission of both dyes recorded for an additional 10 sec. The ratio CC₂DMPE/DiSBAC₂(3), before addition of high-potassium solution equals 1. In the absence of any inhibitor, the ratio after addition of high-potassium solution varies between 1.65-2.0. When the Maxi-K channel has been completely inhibited by either a known standard or test compound, this ratio remains at 1. It is possible, therefore, to titrate the activity of a Maxi-K channel inhibitor by monitoring the concentration-dependent change in the fluorescence ratio.

The compounds of this invention were found to cause concentration-dependent inhibition of the fluorescence ratio with IC₅₀'s in the range of about 1 nM to about 20 μM, more preferably from about 10 nM to about 500 nM.

B. Electrophysiological Assays of Compound Effects on High-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels

Human Non-Pigmented Ciliary Epithelial Cells

The activity of high-conductance calcium-activated potassium (maxi-K) channels in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells was determined using electrophysiological methods. Currents through maxi-K channels were recorded in the inside-out configuration of the patch clamp technique, where the pipette solution faces the extracellular side of the channel and the bath solution faces the intracellular side. Excised patches contained one to about fifty maxi-K channels. Maxi-K channels were identified by their large single channel conductance (250-300 pS), and by sensitivity of channel gating to membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration. Membrane currents were recorded using standard electrophysiological techniques. Glass pipettes (Garner 7052) were pulled in two stages with a Kopf puller (model 750), and electrode resistance was 1-3 megohms when filled with saline. Membrane currents were recorded with EPC9 (HEKA Instruments) or Axopatch 1D (Axon Instruments) amplifiers, and digital conversion was done with ITC-16 interfaces (Instrutech Corp). Pipettes were filled with (mM); 150 KCl, 10 Hepes, 1 MgCl₂, 0.01 CaCl₂, 3.65 KOH, pH 7.20. The bath (intracellular) solution was identical, except, in some cases, calcium was removed, 1 mM EGTA was added and 20 mM KCl was replaced with 20 mM KF to eliminate calcium to test for calcium sensitivity of channel gating. Drugs were applied to the intracellular side of the channel by bath perfusion.

Human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells were grown in tissue culture as described (Martin-Vasallo, P., Ghosh, S., and Coca-Prados, M., 1989, J. Cell. Physiol. 141, 243-252), and plated onto glass cover slips prior to use. High resistance seals (>1 Gohm) were formed between the pipette and cell surface, and inside out patches were excised. Maxi-K channels in the patch were identified by their gating properties; channel open probability increased in response to membrane depolarization and elevated intracellular calcium. In patches used for pharmacological analysis, removing intracellular calcium eliminated voltage-gated currents. Maxi-K currents were measured after depolarizing voltage steps or ramps that caused channel opening.

The compounds of this invention were applied to the intracellular side of the channel in appropriate concentrations (0.001 to 100 μM). The compounds reduced channel open probability, and this effect was reversed upon washout of compounds from the experimental chamber. The IC50 for block of maxi-K channels under these conditions for the compounds of this invention ranged from about 0.5 nM to about 10 μM. 

1. A compound of the structural formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof: wherein, R represents hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; Ry represents H, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R_(w) represents H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(O)C₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(O)OC₁₋₆ alkyl, —SO₂N(R)₂, —SO₂C₁₋₆ alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₀ aryl, NO₂, CN or —C(O)N(R)₂; R₂ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, OH, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(m)OR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₁₋₆ alkoxy, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, said alkyl, heterocyclyl, or aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a); R₃ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, —(CH₂)_(n)COOR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, nitro, cyano or halogen, said alkyl, heterocyclyl, or aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups of R^(a); R₄ and R₅ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, C₁₋₆ alkyl, COOR, SO_(q)C₁₋₆-alkyl, COC₁₋₆ alkyl, SO₃H, —O(CH₂)_(n)N(R)₂, —O(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R, —OPO(OH)₂, CF₃, OCF₃—N(R)₂, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₆ alkylamino, or halogen; and R₆ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, said aryl, heterocyclyl and alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a), wherein the R^(a)(s) can be attached to any carbon atom or heteroatom selected from N and S; R₈ represents —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n 3-10) heterocyclyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or —(CH₂)_(n)C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₆₋₁₀ aryl said heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from R^(a); R^(a) represents F, Cl, Br, I, CF₃, N(R)₂, NO₂, CN, —O—, —COR₈, —CONHR₉, —CON(R₈)₂, —O(CH₂)_(n)COOR, —NH(CH₂)_(n)OR, —COOR, —OCF₃, CF₂CH₂OR, —NHCOR, —SO₂R, SO₂NR₂, —SR, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)O—, —(CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(m)OR, —(CH₂)_(n)C₁₋₆ alkoxy, (aryl)O—, —(CH₂)_(n)OH, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)S(O)_(m)—, H₂N—C(NH)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)C(O)—, (C₁-C₆ alkyl)OC(O)NH—, —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)O(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)S(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —C₁-C₆ allyl)-C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(CH₂)_(n)-Z¹-C(=Z²)N(R)₂, —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)NR_(w)(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)O(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)S(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)-C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl-R_(w), —(C₂₋₆ alkenyl)-Z¹-C(=Z²)N(R)₂, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₂R, —(CH₂)_(n)SO₃H, —(CH₂)_(n)PO(OR)₂, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, and C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, heterocyclyl and aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)OH, CN, NO₂, CON(R)₂ and COOR; Z¹ and Z² independently represents NR_(w), O, CH₂, or S; m is 0-3; n is 0-3 and q is 0-2.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R₆ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl and R_(y) is C₁₋₆ alkyl, said alkyl, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups of R^(a).
 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or —(CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl and R₃ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(n)C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl, said heterocyclyl and alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups of R^(a).
 4. A compound which is: TABLE 1

R1 R2

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof.
 5. A method for treating ocular hypertension or glaucoma comprising administration to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structural formula I of claim
 1. 6. A method for treating macular edema, macular degeneration, increasing retinal and optic nerve head blood velocity, increasing retinal and optic nerve oxygen tension, and/or a neuroprotective effect comprising administration to a patient in need of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof.
 7. A method of preventing repolarization or hyperpolarization of a mammalian cell containing potassium channel or a method of treating Alzheimer's Disease, depression, cognitive disorders, and/or arrhythmia disorders in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof.
 8. A method of treating diabetes in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof.
 9. A composition comprising a compound of formula I of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. The composition according to claim 9 wherein the compound of formula I is applied as a topical formulation, said topical formulation administered as a solution or suspension and optionally containing xanthan gum or gellan gum.
 11. A composition according to claim 9 wherein an active ingredient belonging to the group consisting of: β-adrenergic blocking agent, parasympatho-mimetic agent, sympathomimetic agent, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, EP4 agonist, a prostaglandin or derivative thereof, hypotensive lipid, neuroprotectant, and/or 5-HT2 receptor agonist is optionally added.
 12. A composition according to claim 11 wherein the β-adrenergic blocking agent is timolol, betaxolol, levobetaxolol, carteolol, or levobunolol; the parasympathomimetic agent is pilocarpine; the sympathomimetic agent is epinephrine, brimonidine, iopidine, clonidine, or para-aminoclonidine, the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor is dorzolamide, acetazolamide, metazolamide or brinzolamide; the prostaglandin is latanoprost, travaprost, unoprostone, rescula, or S1033, the hypotensive lipid is lumigan, the neuroprotectant is eliprodil, R-eliprodil or memantine; and the 5-HT2 receptor agonist is 1-(2-aminopropyl)-3-methyl-1H-imdazol-6-ol fumarate or 2-(3-chloro-6-methoxy-indazol-1-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine. 